Page 17 of Just a Little Promise

Skye sighed. “Not yet. Like I told you, he made his case with so many points, I promised him I’d think it over and get back to him.” She also owed it to herself to consider his offer. “I’m just so torn.”

Lauren nodded in understanding before sipping on her Frappuccino. She remained silent, giving Skye time to pull her thoughts together.

Back in the day, it would have been an incredibly easy choice, but with one failed marriage behind her, and unable to forget how Tripp had broken her heart, embarking on such an intimate, life-changing journey with him scared her. She couldn’t deny she still had strong feelings for Tripp but after divorcing Jack, she’d vowed that she’d never depend or rely on any man ever again.

But this decision wasn’t only about her heart, or her emotions. This was about being practical and smart. It was about looking out for her baby’s welfare and future. Her reactions to Tripp’s teasing texts and learning about him now reminded her too much of how she’d fallen hard and fast for Tripp the first time. If she agreed to let him father her baby—and that was a big if—she had more at risk than just her heart. She had her baby to think about and if things didn’t work out again, she’d hate to subject her child to parents who were awkward around one another or worse, didn’t get along.

Letting out a big sigh, she then took a long sip of her drink, drowning her confusion in sweetness and caffeine.

Lauren shot her an understanding look. “If you’re undecided about what to do, let’s break this down, shall we?” she asked, and relaxed more fully in her chair.

“Sure.” Skye would take clarity wherever she might find it. “I’d love to hear your thoughts.”

“I know you’ve already considered the baby’s health and genetics and obviously you’d know exactly what you’d be getting with Tripp.” Skye nodded in agreement before Lauren continued. “But if you went the sperm donor route, then you’d have to trust what was filled out on the application. And honestly, wouldn’t you want your baby to have a father figure in his or her life?”

That question had already crossed Skye’s mind, and she had a ready answer. “I have two brothers who can provide that.”

“Not the same thing,” Lauren said with a frown and a shake of her head. “Let me phrase this a different way. Do you want your son or daughter growing up, asking about their dad, and you eventually having to admit you didn’t know because you used some random guy’s sperm to get pregnant?” Eyebrows raised, she shot Skye a knowing look and Skye cringed.

“That sounds awful,” she admitted, unable to deny Lauren’s point was a solid one.

How would her child feel not knowing anything about their father? That he’d been nothing more than a list of traits and attributes she’d selected from a catalog of strangers, when she knew she had the choice to offer them a good, solid man like Tripp? Worse, they’d have no connection to a paternal figure who could give them so much. She rubbed her palms against her eyes, the beginning of a headache coming on.

“I mean, you could always lie and say that their father died, but that comes with its own set of emotional trauma for a child.” Lauren offered another option, as awful as the first.

Skye winced again. “I’d never lie to my son or daughter.” And she didn’t like how selfish it sounded for hernotto give her child the memories and experiences of a loving father in their life.

Still, that had been her original plan and she met Lauren’s gaze. “I’d be able to tell my child I wanted them so much I was willing to do it that way and raise them on my own,” she said, trying to justify making that choice instead of Tripp.

Lauren nodded. “But they’d be missing all the things other kids would have. Father’s Day, a father coaching a sport they were into, a dad at a father-daughter dance… Look, if insemination were your only choice, none of this would make a difference. You’d love your baby with your whole heart,” Lauren said.

“And they could still grow up feeling as though they were missing a crucial part of who they were.” Which would be on Skye and her choices.

She swallowed hard as Lauren’s smart words put everything that was truly important into perspective. No matter what, Skye wanted her child to be confident, secure and loved. She never wanted them to question their identity or search for answers they’d never find.

“So, I think the defining question would be, if you were going to have a baby with anyone, would you consider Tripp as the father?” Lauren asked. “Does he haveallthe attributes and traits you’re looking for in a donor?”

“Yes.” Skye didn’t even have to think about her reply, because she knew Tripp was everything she’d look for in a father figure for her child. Not just his genetics, but who he was as a person. Kind. Encouraging. Supportive.

Lauren smiled brightly as she stood up. “Then it looks like my job here is done,” she said simply, as if she’d untangled Skye’s complicated situation and then wrapped it all up in a neat and tidy bow.

And she really had.

“Now that I’ve imparted my sage advice and you know what choice to make, it’s back to work for me.” Her wise friend turned to leave.

“Lauren, wait.”

She turned, tipping her head curiously.

“Thank you,” Skye said. “I mean it. This conversation was… enlightening.” And everything she’d needed to hear.

Lauren treated her to a warm smile. “Any time, Skye. I mean it.”

As she watched Lauren leave the office, Skye accepted that her friendhadhelped to solidify her decision.

A sperm donor was easy and simple and uncomplicated... for her. But it was her child’s welfare and emotional stability that mattered the most, and he or she deserved every advantage of being raised and loved by two parents and all they both had to offer a child. Even if in an untraditional way.

Knowing she had a man who was offering to give her the child she wanted, while also being a part of the kid’s life was the best of both worlds and an ideal solution when that man was Tripp. There was no one she trusted more to be her baby’s daddy.

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